Top Fifteen Souvenirs and Shopping Ideas When Traveling in Austria
Before I even boarded the plane to Austria, there was already a list in my head of things I wanted to purchase while I was there. Like most of us, I always look forward to bringing home a few souvenirs from my travels — and by “souvenirs” I don’t mean a magnet or keychain.
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Between the four locations I visited in Austria, there was ample opportunity to seek out uniquely Austrian treasures. Some of these were finds that Austria is well-known for. Others, maybe not quite so obvious.
Here are the links to the individual posts for each of the places we visited: Salzburg | Hallstatt | Ardmont | Vienna
Below are the things that came home with me in my suitcase (and the extra duffle bag I packed). If you are planning a trip to Austria, I hope this gives you some ideas of things to consider picking up while you are there. But, if you are just looking for gift ideas for someone who loves Austria without traveling there, I will provide links on how to order online and/or find from within the US.
1. Austrian Crystal
It is one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about Austria. Austria leads the world in manufacturing an array of fine crystal ranging from glassware, lighting, fashion, and jewelry. Austrian crystal is traditionally handmade and precision cut, giving it the brilliance and sparkle that we all love.
If you are headed to Innsbruck, you are in luck because the world-famous Swarovski crystal is manufactured there, in addition their incredible Swarovski Crystal World attraction. If Innsbruck isn’t on your itinerary, Swarovski crystal can still be found at showrooms and retailers across the country. I headed straight to their massive showroom in Vienna to discover some brilliant finds. Yes, you can also purchase Swarovski crystal in the US, but there is something special about buying it in Austria.
To shop and purchase online, click here.
Above photos: Swarovski Crystal
2. Boiled Wool Clothing, Felted Crafts, and Yarns
For centuries Alpine herdsmen have worn clothing made of Loden and boiled wool fabrics. The weave is so dense that it is nearly waterproof — not to mention warm and cozy! You can find clothing and decor made from boiled wool at traditional Austrian department and clothing stores. The jackets are particularly special, but can also be on the pricier side.
While we were strolling through the Christmas markets, there was an abundance felted ornaments and decorations. Felted wool is a little more stiff than boiled wool, so you will see this fabric used mostly for crafts. These items make for inexpensive and easy-to-pack souvenirs and gifts. I took full advantage of the opportunity and purchased a slew of keepsakes.
If you are a knitter, you will definitely want to add WollenWien to your shopping list. This beautiful yarn store in Vienna stocks every color of woolen fiber you can imagine, in addition to offering expertise on the best yarns for your next project.
Above photos: Felted wool crafts
3. Fürst Mozart Balls
A Mozart Ball (Mozartkugel) is a chocolate confection consisting of a marzipan centre with pistachio and nougat. It was originally created by Paul Fürst in 1890 and today enjoys world-wide fame. Although, the only place where you can buy an Original Mozart Ball is in Salzburg at one of the Fürst Konditorei locations. They are distinguishable from other variations by their blue and silver foil wrapping. You may see other Mozart Balls in red and silver wrapping, but they are not the true original confection. So, if you want to take something wonderfully unique back home with you, Paul Fürst’s “Original Salzburger Mozartkugel” is a rare and wonderful treat!
To order online, click here.
Above photos: Fürst Konditorei Original Salzburger Mozartkugel
4. Perzy Snow Globes
We are all familiar with snow globes and the fun we had as kids shaking them up and watching blizzard conditions ensue. But, did you know that snow globes originated in Austria? Now you do!
The very first snow globe was invented by Erwin Perzy in 1905 while working on a special lamp for surgical operating rooms consisting of a fluid filled orb with glass particles. While the lamp didn’t turn out, the glass orbs filled with particles turned into a new business idea.
At the family-run business in Wien-Hernals, the snow globes are still made by hand. You will find various snow globes in shops and markets all over Austria, but not all are the original Perzy snow globes. Look for the Perzy name and the signature black base.
Above photo: Perzy snow globes
5. Men’s Wear
Something that really stood out to me as a walked through the shopping districts in Austrian cities, was the number of men’s wear shops and custom tailors. Austrian men know how to dress and in style. It is a bit of a throwback and I loved it.
I ended up purchasing silk neckties for each of my sons at at Wilhelm Jungmann & Neffe, a beautiful menswear store and tailor located on Albertinaplatz in Vienna. A couple other stores that impressed me were Knize and Seidensticker
Above photos: Wilhelm Jungmann & Neffe Custom Tailor & Men’s Wear
6. Sacher Torte
The Sacher Torte is a decadent chocolate cake made popular by the Hotel Sacher in Vienna. Of course, the best way to experience the Sacher Torte is to make reservations to visit Café Sache and order a slice. If you want to take one home with you, you can also purchase a mini cake to-go.
To order online, click here.
Above photos: Hotel Sacher
7. Leschanz Chocolate
While there are other European countries more well-known for fine chocolates, Austria does have a few stand-out chocolatiers, one of which is Leschanz Chocolate. This little shop behind St. Peter’s Church, between Graben and Stephansplatz, was previously a button shop dating back to 1844. In 2004, when Wolfgang Leschanz took over the shop for his chocolate business, the only thing he changed was the glass over the chocolate counter for hygienic reasons. It is the dreamiest chocolate in the dreamiest of old world shops.
To order online, click here.
Above photos: Leschanz Chocolate
8. Edelweiss
As the national flower of Austria, you will see edelweiss jewelry, accessories, and trinkets in shops all over Austria. I was on the lookout for something that incorporated this traditional symbol that I would actually use. I ended up with a tea towel for my kitchen. Simple and practical:)
9. Small Batch Schnaps & Liqueurs
In Austria, the making of schnaps is a local art form. Before you start reminiscing about how you chugged a bottle of peach schnapps at a college frat party, let me stop you. It’s not the same.
Schnaps is a fruit brandy. It is produced by individual farmers — or regular people who have fruit trees in their backyards — throughout Austria in small batches as each fruit comes into season. Once the fruit is fermented and distilled, it is bottled immediately and kept on-hand for special occasions. It is usually served at the end of a meal.
Keep your eyes open for local farmers selling schnaps (and other liqueurs!) at the Christmas markets or farmers’ markets. The bottles are usually small and can easily be wrapped up and packed in your checked-luggage. I brought 2 bottles home with me and regret not buying more.
Above photo: Austrian Marshmalllow Liqueur (front and center)
Above photo: Styrian pumpkin seed oil
10. Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil
Styrian pumpkins are a naturally mutated pumpkin species. They optimally grow in Styria, Austria where the necessary climate conditions are ideal. They differ from your normal pumpkin and jack-o-lantern variety due to their hull-less seeds (i.e., no shell) and rich anti-oxidant properties.
Styrian pumpkin seeds can be purchased as whole seeds or as a pressed oil. When these seeds are pressed, the oil is a rich, dark green with amazing super-food, high-nutrient qualities. I like using it as a salad dressing, but it can also be used for other cooking. A simple Google search will yield endless recipe ideas.
Some brands are available on Amazon, click here.
11. Mustards and Mayos
Grocery stores are one of my favorite places to go shopping for souvenirs. I love wandering through the aisles and finding different spices, soup mixes, and condiments. Austria is an especially great place for condiments. The mustards and flavored mayos in tube packaging are my absolute faves. Again, easy to pack in your suitcase.
To shop the selection available on Amazon, click here.
Above photo: Mayo and mustards at Billa
Above photo: Manner shop in Salzburg
12. Manner Wafer Cookies
Nothing says, “Vienna” more than Manner wafer cookies. Josef Manner’s business success story is one for the history books and his chocolate creations are synonymous with Vienna. Although these confectionary treats are exported all over the globe, it is hard to pass up popping into a Manner store and loading up on some of the hard-to-find varieties. There are Manner Shops in Salzburg, Mauthausen, Graz, Wolkersdorf, and several in Vienna.
To shop and purchase from Amazon, click here.
13. Salt
Probably not the first thing you think of buying in Austria. But, if you happen to have Hallstatt on your itinerary, you will be at the site of the oldest salt mine in the world, Salzwelten. Whether you tour the salt mine or just enjoy the views from the top of the Hallstatt Skywalk, you will want to turn into the Salzwelten-Bad Ischler shop for an incredible selection of Austrian table and rock salts. If you don’t make it to Hallstatt, there are shop locations in Salzburg, Bad Ischler, and Altausse, as well.
To shop and purchase online, click here.
Above photo: Herbal salts from Bad Ischler
Above photo: Egg ornaments at Christmas in Salzburg shop in Salzburg
14. Easter Eggs
Easter is the second biggest holiday in Austria and has many unique traditions associated with it, one of which is the Osterbaum, which in English means Easter tree. The Osterbaum is similar to a Christmas tree. Instead of an evergreen tree, willow branches are used. The branches are decorated with intricate ornaments made of hollowed-out Easter eggs symbolizing both spring and resurrection.
The tradition of using the hollowed-out eggs has spilled over into the Christmas holiday, as well. When visiting Easter markets, Christmas markets, or stores, both Easter and Christmas eggs can be found. But, the tradition started with Easter. Stores will carefully pack any egg purchases so you can get them home safely. I packed my purchase from the Christmas in Salzburg shop (Located towards the far end of Judengasse near Mozartplatz in Salzburg) in my carry-on bag just so I could make sure it was carefully handled.
To shop and purchase online, click here.
15. Linzer Cookie Cutters
Linzer cookies are a traditional Austrian sandwich cookie. They are often made during the Christmas season – but certainly not limited to just that holiday. I love making Linzer cookies for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day!
A wide variety of shapes and sizes of Linzer cookie cutters can be found at Christmas markets and specialty kitchen stores. You can also buy them off Amazon here, but the selection in Austria is so much better. I bought several different sets at the Salzburg Chrismas Market and had the best time continuing my Austrian-themed Christmas by making cookies for my friends and family when I got back home.
Above photo: Linzer cookies
A Few Other ideas
A few things that didn’t come home with me, but definitely tempted me:
- Augarten – Oldest Austrian porcelain brand
- J. & L. Lobmeyr – Iconic Viennese glassmaker
- Freywille – Fire enamel jewelry and accessories
Above photo: J. & L. Lobmeyr in Vienna
Your Photos
Last, but not least, there are some things that you simply cannot bottle or pack. Corny as it sounds, memories and time spent with special people are the best souvenirs. Photographs are a close second because I don’t have the best memory and photos help me recall the moments. In that regard, here are a few suggestions for organizing and printing your beloved memories:
- Mpix: love their albums and photo gifts
- Shutterfly: great for creating greeting cards from your photos
- Printique: great for wall prints
- Mixbook: great for creating photobooks
- Snapfish: my longtime fave for individual prints
Here are the links to the individual posts for each of the places we visited: Salzburg | Hallstatt | Ardmont | Vienna
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